Day two of the Ryder Cup just concluded and Europe has an almost insurmountable lead of 10.5 to 5.5. To read the news, one might think that Team Europe was losing by the same margin. Jon Rahm punched a sign in anger and Rory McIlroy had to be physically pushed back to his car in the parking lot after finishing his match.
The United States team finished day two strong
The United States team was pretty much done until they were able to win three of four points available in the Saturday afternoon session. Colin Morikawa and Sam Burns led off and won handily 4&3. Max Homa was a key performer in the second match. His play led he and his partner Brian Harman to an early lead. Just when the Europeans were coming back and looking to draw closer, he delivered a clutch chip-in from the deep rough to stem the tide and eventually secure a full point for Team USA. He made a point in letting some chirpy European fans know what he thought after the clutch shot.
The captain delivers the head scratcher moment of the matches
The lone loss and blowout of the afternoon matches was Justin Thomas and Jordan Speith getting beat 3&2 by Justin Rose and Robert McIntyre. With Thomas/Speith being down three with three holes to play, captain Zach Johnson actually stepped into the tee box offering some type of input to Jordan Speith before he teed off on the drivable par-4 16th. After the discussion, Speith put away his driver and pulled three wood which he proceeded to hit into the water and be out of the hole. It probably had no impact on the match, but one has to ask why get involved?
Patrick Cantlay delivers the the win of the day
Patrick Cantlay and partner Wyndham Clark stayed close to Rory McIlroy and Matthew Fitzpatrick all day. The US Team never had the lead all day heading into the 16th. Cantlay made birdie to tie McIlroy on the drivable 16th. After McIlroy chipped close on the par-3 17th, Cantlay drilled a clutch putt to tie the match and take it to the 18th hole.
On the Par 5 18th, Cantlay delivered what turned out to be the match winning birdie and delivering a full point back to Team USA.
The point was critical but the win against McIlroy and Fitzpatrick just may have lit the fuse for Team USA. Cantlay took more fan abuse than any other player on Team USA. To birdie the last three holes and deliver might have been just what was needed at just the right time to inspire the players heading into final day single matches. Team USA faces what seems to be a one in a million odds against them to retain the Ryder Cup. However, to quote Lloyd Christmas “so you’re telling me there’s a chance.”
